Sash and frame for windows and doors



Aug- 30, 1966 o. J. DARMSTADT SASH AND FRAME FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1963 INVENTOR. 07m JOHA /v/v DARMSTADT 51M 9 7w Agent.

30, 1966 o. J. DARMSTADT 3,269,074

SASH AND FRAME FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS Filed July 22, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i 767 72a Y I 176 mvemoza.

- 0110 JOHANN BY DARMSTADT Agent FIG. 7

United States Patent 3,269,074 SASH AND FRAME FUR WINDUWS AND DUURS Otto Johann Darrnstadt, Clarkson, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Armstadt Manufacturing Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Filed July 22, 1963, Ser. No. 296,816 6 tjlaims. (Cl. 52-498) This invention relates to improvements in glass holding structures for windows and doors. It is particularly directed to the provision of a detachable glass holding structure for use with metallic and plastic-sheathed metallic window and door sash.

Desirable features for window and door structures include economy, simplicity of construction, with adequate strength and rigidity, resistance to the effects of temperature and humidity, appearance and durability. These features are, in varying degrees, obtainable in presently available structures. However, existing door and window sash structures are deficient in that they fail economically to combine simplicity of construction with adequate resistance to the effects of temperature and humidity and a pleasing appearance.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a rigid, self-supporting glass holding structure having effective thermal and vapour barrier properties which is resistant to the effects of temperature and humidity and which is of attractive appearance.

It is a further important object of the invention to provide a glass holding structure of simple and economic construction which can be applied to most standard window and door sash sections.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the present invention can be obtained will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of a portion of a window sash assembly having the glass holding structure of the invention applied thereto;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view on lines 2--2 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a further modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a portion of a window frame adapted to house a pair of sash assemblies of the type illustrated by FIGURE 1, showing one sash assembly in section and the second sash assembly in elevation; r

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken through another embodiment of door sash and frame; and

FIGURE 7 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of FIGURE 6.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the invention will be described with reference to a window sash assembly 11 which defines an opening 12 for a sheet of glass 13. Assembly 11 comprises a rigid, preferably metallic internal member 11a which is substantially L-shaped in section.

The numeral 14 designates the glass holding structure of the invention, which is a generally elongated member. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, structure 14 is extruded from a material which provides a slightly resilient, relatively rigid product. Satisfactory structures have been obtained from thermo plastic and thermo-setting plastic materials, such as, for example, extruded polyvinyl chloride.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, glass holding structure 14 is formed with sidewalls 15 and 16, which are disposed in generally parallel, spaced apart relationship to permit attachment of structure 14 to internal member 11a.

Integrally formed with sidewall 15 is a glass supporting wall 17 which is terminated at its inner end by wall 18. Wall 18, in turn, is integrally formed at a right angle with sidewall 16 and embodies groove defining means 19 formed in the exterior surface thereof. Groove means 19 are displaced a predetermined distance from glass supporting wall 17 and are adapted to accommodate a glazing spline structure 2d which is adapted to bear against sheet of glass 13 and retain its securely in place.

Along the outer edge portion of wall 17 is formed a retaining flange 2.1 which, with wall 17 and wall 18, defines a generally rectangular space for the insertion of a filler 22, such as putty, which provides a flat glass supporting surface and facilitates the proper location of sheet of glass 13 in structure 1 1.

Sidewall 15 and supporting wall 17 are connected by member 23, which also serves to define their spaced apart relationship, one with another. In this way, and in conjunction with led-ge portion 24 on sidewall 15, a passage 25 is defined for the accommodation of side portion 26 of internal member 11a. In order to accommodate the base 27 of member 11a, a ledge portion 28 is provided on the interior surface of sidewall 16 in substantially the same plane with ledge portion 24- on sidewall 15. Also, the basal portion 29 of groove means 19 stands proud of the plane defined by ledge portions 24 and 28 a SllfilClBIlt distance to permit the base 27 of internal member 11a to pass freely therebetween.

Portion 31} of base member 13 connects sidewall 16 with a wall 31 to define their spaced apart relationship, one with another. Accordingly, a passage 32, defined by wall 31, the interior surface of portion of base member 18, sidewall 16 and ledge portion 23, is provided for the accommodation of toe 33 of member 11a.

Adjacent the upper portions of sidewalls 15 and 16 and on their exterior surfaces are provided grooves 34 and 35 which extends the full length of structure 14 and are adapted to accommodate an elongated clip means 36 therein, thereby to complete the enclosure of member 11a within glass holding structure 14.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, all of the external parts of the assembly, including glazing spline structure 29 and clip means 36, are formed of a plastic material, the entire unit being of a colour which is compatible with the setting of the window and door structure. In this way, the necessity of periodic painting of the structure is eliminated.

Also, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, clip means 36 will be adapted to engage grooves 3 1 and 35 very tightly and to draw the portions of sidewalls 15 and 16 below ledge portions 24 and 28 toward one another, thereby effectively sealing sash assembly 11 from the atmosphere. Also, it is of practical importance in this connection that the ends of structure 14 be cut at an angle which permits positive and accurate juxtaposition of adjoining members.

In assembling a structure according to the present invention, a length of structure 14 is cut corresponding to the length of that portion of member 11a which is to be enclosed.

The appropriate length of structure 14 having been slightly bent, applied to member 11a and restored to its normally substantially straight condition, wall portion 26 of member 11a is accommodated within passage 25, base portion 27 of member 11a is supported between ledge portions 24 and 211, and toe 33 of member 11a is accommodated within passage 32.

Having thus applied structure 14 to member 11a, clip means 36 are secured by means of grooves 34- and 35 along the length of structure 14. In this manner, a substantially vapour tight enclosure of member 11a is achieved. In order that a substantially permanent joint will be achieved, the abutting ends of structures 14-, and those of clip means 36, as well, will be glued or heat sealed together.

To install the sheet of glass 13, filler material 22 is applied in bearing relationship with glass supporting wall 17. Retaining flange portion 21 serves to prevent the filler material 22, preferably putty, from being squeezed out while the sheet of glass 13 is being installed, Flange 21 also serves to prevent dislodgement of filler material 22 from the completed unit, which might otherwise occur due to vibrations or other like disturbances.

When the sheet of glass 13 has been inserted in structure 14 and properly located therein by virtue of filler material 22 and flange portion 21, glazing spline structure 20, adapted to bear against the sheet of glass 13, is inserted in groove means 19.

According to the modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 3, the base member 18a of structure 14a is of a width permitting the accommodation thereon, between filler material 22a and glazing spline structure 20a, of a double glazing structure 40. Structure 40 comprises two sheets of glass 41, 42 retained in U-shaped channel member 43 and disposed in spaced apart relationship by virtue of container 44. Container 44 contains a moisture absorbing material such as silica gel 4-5, and embodies a passage 46 therein to permit moisture absorption.

According to a further modified form of the invention, as shown in FIGURE 4, a further groove 46 is formed in base member 18b of structure 14b intermediate of supporting wall 17b and groove means 19!) and adapted to receive a container 47 which contains a moisture absorbing material, such as silica gel. A passage 48 formed in container 47 communicates the interior of said container with the space 51 between sheets of glass 49 and 50 which are inserted on either side of container 47, sheet 49 being laterally supported by glazing spline structure 20b.

FIGURE illustrates a representative portion of a window frame 52 adapted to house a pair of window sashes 53 and 54. Frame 52 comprises an elongated channel member 55 formed from a rigid material such as steel and a corrosion resistant sheathing 56 of a configuration adapted to enclose and protect the otherwise exposed surfaces of said channel and to function as a thermal break. Sheathing 56 is preferably extruded from a plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride which not only is resistant to the corrosive effects of atmospheric elements but also has a low heat conductivity.

Sheathing 56, formed with hollow arm portions 57 and 58 connected by a web portion 59, is adapted to enclose the arms 60 and 61 of channel 55 and to abut, in face-toface relation, the included side of web 62 of said channel. Flanges 63 and 64 formed on arms 57 and 58 are adapted to overlie the edges of web 62 for securing the sheathing to the channel. Once installed, flanges 63 and 64 are tightly gripped between window back-up member 65 and channel 55 and are thus rigidly secured in place. Casing 52 is rigidly secured to back-up member 65 by means of connecting means such as screw 66 passing through sheathing 56 and channel 55 into member 65.

A longitudinal partition 67 formed integral with the central portion of web 59 of sheathing 56 divides the included side of said web into a pair of slideways 68 and 69. Elongated members 71 and 71, generally U-shaped in cross-section, are mounted in slideways 68 and 69 respectively as illustrated to provide bearing surfaces for gliders 72 and 73 which are secured by screws 74 or the like joining means to window sashes 53 and 54. Members 70 and '71 preferably are formed from a plastic material for slight flexion to aid in installation and to allow for variations in window sash dimensions. Window sashes 53 and 54 are thus free to slide in slideways 68 and 69 of the window frame 52 for the facile opening and closing of the window.

FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate representative sections of a further embodiment of door frame header and door sash 81 slidably mounted for travel within header 80. The header 80, illustrative of the header and side members of the frame, comprises a reinforcing metal channel 82 having a web portion 83 rigidly secured to the edge of a wall opening, by a screw 79 or the like securing means, and a pair of parallel flanges 84 and 85 turned at right angles thereto. Channel members 86 and 94 extruded from a rigid plastic such as polyvinyl chloride are secured by flanges 87 and to flange 84 of channel 82 by means of securing means such as a rivet 88 passing therethrough. The opposite flange 89 of channel 86 preferably is secured to the door edge by nail 90 to rigidly anchor the channel 86 in its operative position. The opposite flange 96 of channel 94 is secured to flange 85 by means to be described hereinbelow.

The outward extensions of the flanges 87 and 89 are upset at 92 and 91 respectively and a recess 93 having an enlarged inner portion is formed longitudinally in each upset portion. A pliable spline 97 is adapted to be inserted into at least one of recesses 93 such that a bulbous edge of spline 97 secures the spline to the flange. The external portion of spline 97 is U-shaped having a pair of sealer ribs 99 formed thereon as illustrated in FIG- URE 7 for reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Door sash 81 is adapted to support and enclose at least one and preferably two sheets of glass about the periphery of said sheets. Sash 81 comprises a central steel reinforcing structure 106 having a pair of channel members 107 and 108 arranged in back-to-back relation and rigidly secured a predetermined distance apart by a pair of connecting steel strips 109 and 110. Members 107, 108, 109 and 110 are rigidly secured together to form a unitary structure by roll forming and/ or spot welding or the like securing means.

An elongated sheathing generally designated by the numeral 111 also extruded from a rigid plastic such as polyvinyl chloride comprises a first member 112 adapted to substantially envelope three sides of structure 106. Hollow arm 113 having spacer ribs 114 formed on the interior of wall 115 receives arm 116 of structure 106 such that said wall 115 defines air spaces 118 between said wall, arm 116 and ribs 114. In like manner, hollow sheath arm 120 receives arm 121 of reinforcing structure 106 such that spacer rib 122 separates sheath wall 123 from arm 121 to provide heat insulating air spaces 125 therebetween.

Sheathing member 12 is secured to structure 106 by a second sheath member 127 which is adapted to overlie and abut the included side of channel 107. Arms 128 and 129 of sheath member 127 are formed hollow such that arms 120 and 131 of structure 106 are received therein and the sheath exterior walls 132 and 133 spaced from arms and 131 by spacer ribs 134 to define air spaces 135 therebetween. Sheath member 127 is locked to sheath member 112 by the overlap of arm walls 132 and 133 over the edges of walls 115 and 123 respectively and the engagement of a ridge 136 in a groove 137, as illustrated.

Web 140 of sheath member 111, preferably spaced from the web 141 of channel 108, has elongated grooves 144 and 145 formed therein. Glass stops 146 and 147, preferably of the configurations illustrated representing a spacer and a glazing spline respectively, are adapted for insertion in grooves 144 and 1 15 to rigidly but removably anchor glass sheets 105 a predetermined distance apart and effect an effective vapour seal at the juncture of the glass sheet and the stops providing air spaces 148, 149 and 150 between the glass sheets.

FIGURES 6 and 7, which illustrate the frame header and door sash rail slidably mounted therein, are illustrative of the frame and sash structures in general. It will be understood that the vertical side members of the frame and the lower rail and the stiles of the sash are fabricated in like manner. Rollers, not shown, preferably are rotatably mounted in the channel of sheath member 127 formed in the lower rail of the sash to facilitate sliding movement of said sash within the frame.

Sealer ribs 99 abut at least one face of sash sheathing 111 to provide a yielding but continuous and effective vapour seal between the flanges 87 and 89 of header channel 86 and said sash 81. The plurality of air spaces formed between the sheath walls and the reinforcing member function as effective thermal barriers between the two external sides of the frame and also isolate the edges of the glass sheets from the metal reinforcing member.

It may be preferred to employ a pair or several door sashes 81 in spaced relation to each other such that one or more sashes can be displaced behind each other to form a door or wall opening or the sashes arranged in edge-toedge, lapped relation to form a continuous wall effect. A second sash therefore normally is mounted in the race 152 formed by channel 94 in the same manner as de* scribed hereinabove. Also, several channels can be arranged sideby-side to accommodate a plurality of slidably-mounted door sashes for use in patio and the like room walls.

With reference now to FIGURE 6, the ends of adjacent flange 95 of channel 94 and flange 87 of channel 86 are locked together by an E-shaped member 155 having a central portion 156 disposed between and adapted to space flanges 87 and 95 and inwardly-turned ridges 157 adapted to engage grooves 158 formed in said flanges 87 and 95. Likewise, the end of flange 96 of channel 94 is locked with flange 153 of channel 154 by a member 160. Member 160 is identical to member 155 described hereinabove.

Flange 85 of metal channel 82 is turned through about 90 providing a horizontally disposed flange 161. Flange 153 of channel 154 is formed with a sleeve i163 adapted to receive flange 161. The opposite flange 165 of channel 154 is secured to the edge of the wall opening by a nail 166 or like securing means.

A door screen structure 167 preferably is slidably suspended from flange 161 by a roller 168 rotatably mounted on stub shaft 169 which is rigidly secured to hanger 170 connected to said screen structure 167 by screws 171. Roller 168 is adapted to travel in the race defined by flange 172 of sleeve 163, rigidity and vertical support being provided to the sleeve by metal flange 16-1.

The present invention provides a number of important advantages. Door and window sashes and frames manufactured according to the present invention have been found to have about three times the strength and rigidity of standard aluminum units of comparable sizes. The sashes and frames provide effective thermal and vapour barriers while permitting, because of the novel structure, removal and substitution of component parts in situ. On site dismantling of the sashes also provides the added advantage of shipping the frames and sashes in the form of disassembled component parts and assembling the glass sheets within the sashes after the sashes are installed. Also, the sash dimensions can be readily modified to meet the dimensions and shapes of most door and Window wall openings and can be quickly and readily installed in place.

The plastic sheathing interacts with the metal reinforcing members to prove a substantially corrosion resistant assembly. The plastic, of course, normally is coloured prior to the extrusion step and is supplied in colours which will suit the decor of the setting in which the frames and sashes are employed.

It will be understood, of course, that modifications can be made in the embodiments of the invention described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect :by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A sash for supporting a sheet of glass comprising in combination a rigid rein-forcing member consisting of a pair of channels each having a web portion and a pair of arms, means for rigidly interconnecting said channels in a spaced, back-toback relation to form a unitary structure, one of said channels having one arm longer than the other, a sheath formed from a resilient material so constructed and arranged as to substantially envelope the reinforcing member, and means for removably securing at least one sheet of glass to the channel having the longer arm such that the sheet of glass substantially abuts the sheath portion enclosing said long channel arm to effect a substantial vapour barrier between the glass and the sash.

2. A sash for supporting a sheet of glass comprising, in combination: a rigid reinforcing member consisting of a pair of channels each having a web portion and a pair of arms, means for rigidly interconnecting said channels in a. spaced, back-to-back relation to form a unitary structure, one of said channels having one arm longer than the other, a sheath formed from a resilient material so constructed and arranged as to substantially envelope the reinforcing member, means for spacing the sheath from at least three sides of the reinforcing member to effect a plurality of heat insulating spaces between the sheath and the reinforcing member, and means for removably securing at least one sheet of glass to the channel having the longer arm such that the sheet of glass substantially abuts the sheath portion enclosing said long channel arm to effect a substantial vapour barrier between the glass and the sash.

3. A sash for supporting a sheet of glass comprising, in combination: a rigid reinforcing member consisting of a pair of channels each having a .web portion and a pair of arms, means for rigidly interconnecting said channels in a spaced, back-to-back relation toform a unitary structure, one of said channels having one arm longer than the other, a sheath formed from a resilient material so constructed and arranged as to substantially envelope the reinforcing member, means for spacing the sheath from at least three sides of the reinforcing member to eifect a plurality of heat insulating spaces between the sheath and the reinforcing member, said sheath having at least one groove formed in the surf-ace overlying the web of the channel having the long arm and spaced from the channel long arm such that a sheet of glass can be disposed between said groove and the long arm, and a glass stop adapted for insertion into said groove such that said stop will abut said glass for securement of said glass against the sheath portion enclosing the channel long arm to effect a substantial vapour barrier between the edges of the glass and the sash.

4. In a sash as claimed in claim 3, said sheath comprising a first section adapted to substantially enclose three sides of said reinforcing member, a second section adapted to substantially enclose the fourth side of said reinforcing member, and means for connecting said first section to said second section to form a substantially vapour-tight connection therebetween.

5. A glass holding structure comprising, in combination, a rigid reinforcing member formed of at least one channel having a web and a pair of arms, one of said arms being shorter than the other, a sheath formed from a slightly resilient plastic material having a web and a pair of arms enclosing the included side of the web and the arms of the channel, means for spacing said sheath from said reinforcing member for defining air spaces between said sheath and said reinforcing member, a portion of said sheath web being upset to define a groove, and a spline adapted to be inserted in said groove in spaced relation to the long arm of said sheath to form a glass sheet receiving slot therebetween.

6. A glass holding structure comprising, in combination, a rigid reinforcing member formed of at least one channel having a web and a pair of arms, one of said arms being shorter than the other, a sheath formed from a 7 8 slightlyresilient plastic material'having a web and a pair References Cited by the Examiner of arms enclosing the included side of the web and the UNITED STATES PATENTS arms of the reinforcing channel, said sheath arms having 1 916 913 7/1933 Axe 189 76 rearward extensions defining a space therebetween, lon- 2047937 7/1936 g igitudinal grooves formed on the outer surfaces of said 5 2877511 3/1959 Viola 20 19 sheath arm extensions, clip means having arcuate flanges 2917792 12/1959 igIfgiilitj: for engaging said grooves for enclosing said space, a 2:952:88? 9/1960 Kessler et 0 52 g portion of said sheath Web being upset to define a groove, 3,090,083 5 /1963 Emmerich 2 56 X and a spline adapted to be inserted in said groove in spaced relation to the long arm of said sheath for forming 10 HARRISON MOSELEY, Examine"- a glass sheet receiving slot therebetween. HEATON, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A SASH FOR SUPPORTING A SHEET OF GLASS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A RIGID REINFORCING MEMBER CONSISTING OF A PAIR OF CHANNELS EACH HAVING A WEB PORTION AND A PAIR OF ARMS, MEANS FOR RIGIDLY INTERCONNECTING SAID CHANNELS IN A SPACED, BACK-TO-BACK RELATION TO FORM A UNITARY STRUCTURE, ONE OF SAID CHANNEL HAVING ONE ARM LONGER THAN THE OTHER, A SHEATH FORMED FROM A RESILIENTLY MATERIAL SO CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED AS TO SUBSTANTIALLY ENVELOPE THE REINFORCING MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR REMOVABLY SECURING AT 